what is some of the down falls of a BIG cam?
what is some of the down falls of a BIG cam? I have read up and searched quite a bit about cams. I still don't know much lol, but the one thing I"m really not sure about is, what are some of the down falls of picking a aggressive cam? Other than having to get a tune, and a aggressive idle what are some other draw backs of picking a nasty cam? I don't mind a nasty idle as long as it does not stall... I own a 01 ss with lid lt headers and a fuddle 3400 2.1 str stall I want to get a cam that will bring me up near 400whp and high 11's low 12's (if this is to high of a goal, please let me know) I'm willing to do it right with the whatever supporting mods I will need to get this power like rocker arms and a good tune.... but I still don't know what the draw backs would be to picking a aggressive cam... if im ok with a aggressive idle (long as it does not stall) what other things do I need to be aware of that may hinder daily driving? ....Thanks in advance, Steve.
I think one of the things would be where the power is. If you're running on a stock bottom end w/ a huge cam you will be shifting at 7000+. It is just a matter of time before it can't handle it anymore. If this is mainly a street vehicle you will loose your low end power. You will also need some monster gears and possibly a bigger converter. All this that lead to "race car" not driver.
Originally Posted by stealth71
I think one of the things would be where the power is. If you're running on a stock bottom end w/ a huge cam you will be shifting at 7000+. It is just a matter of time before it can't handle it anymore. If this is mainly a street vehicle you will loose your low end power. You will also need some monster gears and possibly a bigger converter. All this that lead to "race car" not driver.
got it! thank you... defetnly dont want a cam that is out of my rpm ban... I want real good streetable power that is fun to drive everyday. and i dont want to upgrade the bottom end thats for sure...
yup, a big cam will most likely have a rough/choppy ile, will want to stall out, gets horrible gas mileage, needs to be run up to 6500+ rpms to get full power, but man you cant beat the power or feeling of a huge cam lol!
I don't mind the idle or the gas millage but i don't think i should go to 6500 and i damn sure don't want to loose my low end grunt.... I appreciate the tips guys. this is what i was talking about. thanks for the help. i will continue to listen up! 
So while I'm at it, is around 400whp and a low 12 high 11 et just not gonna happen with a streetable cam or is this a goal that is not out of reach?
So while I'm at it, is around 400whp and a low 12 high 11 et just not gonna happen with a streetable cam or is this a goal that is not out of reach?
Last edited by autodad; May 20, 2006 at 08:22 PM.
The worst is the cam surge. Needs a REAL good tune to get rid of that.
Mileage sucks.
I have a large cam (248/254 629/622 113) but it is in a 402ci. Still working on tuning out the surge, which happens to be HORRIBLE.
Still getting roughly 16 MPG around town if I want it to.
Mileage sucks.
I have a large cam (248/254 629/622 113) but it is in a 402ci. Still working on tuning out the surge, which happens to be HORRIBLE.
Still getting roughly 16 MPG around town if I want it to.
Originally Posted by Mr. Luos
The worst is the cam surge. Needs a REAL good tune to get rid of that.
Mileage sucks.
I have a large cam (248/254 629/622 113) but it is in a 402ci. Still working on tuning out the surge, which happens to be HORRIBLE.
Still getting roughly 16 MPG around town if I want it to.
Mileage sucks.
I have a large cam (248/254 629/622 113) but it is in a 402ci. Still working on tuning out the surge, which happens to be HORRIBLE.
Still getting roughly 16 MPG around town if I want it to.
surge meaning it's looking for an idle?
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No. Mine idles great.
In the lower RPM's (1200-2500) it surges. Kinda like you are tapping the gas quickly and lightly. Doesn't want to let you stay at one RPM level. This is all in the tune though. I just need to get with my tuner and work on it.
In the lower RPM's (1200-2500) it surges. Kinda like you are tapping the gas quickly and lightly. Doesn't want to let you stay at one RPM level. This is all in the tune though. I just need to get with my tuner and work on it.
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Originally Posted by Mr. Luos
No. Mine idles great.
In the lower RPM's (1200-2500) it surges. Kinda like you are tapping the gas quickly and lightly. Doesn't want to let you stay at one RPM level. This is all in the tune though. I just need to get with my tuner and work on it.
In the lower RPM's (1200-2500) it surges. Kinda like you are tapping the gas quickly and lightly. Doesn't want to let you stay at one RPM level. This is all in the tune though. I just need to get with my tuner and work on it.
see that is something I did not know about, thanks alot, now I know to ask about that when picking a cam out!!!
Originally Posted by mcamp001
you dont have to go that big to run low 12's. I have a 230/230 and have a best of 12.1, with headers/exhaust, UD pullie and tune. Car put down 398 to the wheels
very nice, auto or stick, what was your 60 if you don't mind me asking...
...how big is a 230/230? any issues with this cam? what kinda tunning?
rough idle, stalling, bad gas milage, cam surge below 2k rpm, spinning the motor to the moon, rough on valvetrain, makes exhaust smell like a gas station, rear tires wear really fast.
however the pull from 4500-7000 rpm really makes up for all of that.
however the pull from 4500-7000 rpm really makes up for all of that.
My TR230 can still get 23 MPG. Even big cams cams (235+) can be tunned to run like stockers.
The biggest drawback is not having enough time to enjoy it. My Tr230 has so much torque down low that I take off from lights in 2nd, and any gear is ok down to 1200 rpm.
The biggest drawback is not having enough time to enjoy it. My Tr230 has so much torque down low that I take off from lights in 2nd, and any gear is ok down to 1200 rpm.
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From: New Orleans LA
I didn't hear anyone say anything about changing out springs more often with larger cams. I have a 224 with a Sy3500 and 3.23 and really like my set up. I have given fits to a few guys with LARGE CAMS. Its all in your setup. But if you want to go big I ain't knocking ya. Do your thing.
No, after reading the down falls I don't think I want to go big at all... I am looking for a big gain from a cam, but I will not sacrifice daily drive ability... that comes first in this car... It is by no means a track only car. I want to enjoy it!
Originally Posted by 98Z28MASS
yup, a big cam will most likely have a rough/choppy ile, will want to stall out, gets horrible gas mileage, needs to be run up to 6500+ rpms to get full power, but man you cant beat the power or feeling of a huge cam lol!
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Naperville, IL
Id probably look to something along the lines of a 224/228 xer lobes, or the TSP 228R. Get it ground on a 110+2 degrees advance, it should fit with your convertor, and peak around 6100 I think, which puts your shifts about 6300. I think An expert will chime in and clear it up if I'm wrong.
An expert will chime in and clear it up if I'm wrong. 
I just got my car back from the tuner - idles fine - never stalls - no problems. A good tuner is hard to find . Not sure what is a "big" cam these days either though. The V.3 cam I have in my car spec'd out somewhere around 240's .613 - calculations based on degree wheel/dial indicator.
. Not sure what is a "big" cam these days either though. The V.3 cam I have in my car spec'd out somewhere around 240's .613 - calculations based on degree wheel/dial indicator. 
Originally Posted by Mr. Luos
No. Mine idles great.
In the lower RPM's (1200-2500) it surges. Kinda like you are tapping the gas quickly and lightly. Doesn't want to let you stay at one RPM level. This is all in the tune though. I just need to get with my tuner and work on it.
In the lower RPM's (1200-2500) it surges. Kinda like you are tapping the gas quickly and lightly. Doesn't want to let you stay at one RPM level. This is all in the tune though. I just need to get with my tuner and work on it.
Your car is an auto, your higher stall speed torque convertor is going to cause the mileage to suffer more than a stock would because you're spinning up the motor a little higher in the RPMs just to get moving around town from stoplight to stoplight. This will affect your gas mileage a bit more than your cam selection will.
If I were you I'd buy my cam! (it's up for sale and available June 9th!) No seriously, it (futral f11 - 228/230 .576/.595) or something like it would be perfect for your goals. I've decided to go a tad larger to go with a set of heads in the works.
The previous owner of my car had a 3500 convertor in it and this cam I'm talking about, longtubes, 3.73s, ls6 intake, and NO tune...just a basic driveability tune and it went 12.3x's @ 110 mph on nitto DRs.
When I bought the car last June I drove it daily until october when I bought a cheap beater. I still get it out as much as I can when it's nice out. Now it has a 4400 TCI convertor because he swapped the 3500 to the 4400 to help hit his goal of 11s. Now its a legit 11 second daily driver (if I chose to), just eats up more gas around town that I'd like, but you get what you pay for.
These cars are supposed to be fun, and thats just another price you pay.
With going that fast n/a comes some sacrifice, what are you willing to give up or live with? I tend to be a little more lenient because my car isnt my main source of transportation.